THE CONFERENCE. 57 



there, that it appears that dolphins love music, and will 

 come when called for by some men or boys that know and 

 use to feed them ; and that they can swim as swift as an 

 arrow can be shot out of a bow; and much of this is spoken 

 concerning the dolphin and other fish, as may be found also 

 in the learned Dr. Casaubon's " Discourse of Credulity and 

 Incredulity," printed by him about the year 1670.* 



I know, we islanders are averse to the belief of these 

 wonders; but there be so many strange creatures to be now 

 seen, many collected by John Tradescant, j and others added 

 by my friend Elias Ashmole, Esq., k who now keeps them 

 carefully and methodically at his house near to Lambeth 

 near London, as may get some belief of some of the other 

 wonders I mentioned. I will tell you some of the wonders 

 that you may now see, and not till then believe, unless you 

 think fit. 



You may see the hog-fish, the dog-fish, the dolphin, the 

 coney-fish, the parrot-fish, the shark, the poison-fish, sword- 

 fish, and not only other incredible fish, but you may there 

 see the salamander, several sorts of barnacles, and Solan 

 geese, the bird of Paradise, such sorts of snakes, and such 

 birds'-nests, and of so various forms, and so wonderfully 

 made, as may beget wonder and amusement in any be- 

 holder ; and so many hundred of other rarities in that col- 

 lection, as will make the other wonders I spake of the less 

 incredible ; for you may note, that the waters are Nature's 

 store-house, in which she locks up her wonders. 



But, Sir, lest this discourse may seem tedious, I shall give 

 it a sweet conclusion out of that holy poet Mr. George 

 Herbert, his divine " Contemplation on God's Providence." 



